Vermont
Vermont – Bars Nightlife and Entertainment.
Vermont, the “Green Mountain State”, and the 14th state to be admitted to the Union in 1791. The capital is Montpelier, and the largest city (and birthplace of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream) is Burlington.
With Vermont think – small town – big countryside – maple syrup – and you’re just about there….and it’s lovely.
Tourism is a large industry in the state, which adds to the quality of nightlife and entertainment available in what is the second least populous state in America.
In winter, the ski resorts Stow, Killington Ski Resort, Mad River Glen, Sugarbush, Stratton, Jay Peak, Okemo, Suicide Six, Mount Snow and Bromley host skiers from around the globe, although their largest markets are the Boston, Montreal and New York metropolitan areas. In the summer, resort towns like Stowe, Manchester, and Woodstock appeal to most visitors. Resorts, hotels, restaurants, and shops, designed to attract tourists, employ people year-round.
Summer camps contribute to Vermont’s tourist economy. Trout fishing, lake fishing, and ice fishing draw outdoor enthusiasts to the state, as does the hiking on the Long Trail. In winter, Nordic and backcountry skiers visit to travel the length of the state on the Catamount Trail. Several horse shows are annual events. Vermont’s state parks, historic sites, museums, golf courses, and new boutique hotels with spas were all designed to attract tourists.
Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, is also home to the University of Vermont, and students need to be fed, watered and entertained – so the nightlife and bars here are probably the best Vermont has to offer.
Head down to the pedestrianised Church Street Marketplace area, where you will find good bars and some quality restaurants. Try the Vermont Pub and Brewery on College Street, a good brew pub. For the clubs it’s really Club Metronome Nectars on Main Street (the club that gave birth to Phish).
Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the Union, also happens to be home for the New England Culinary Institute, so you know the food’s going to be good. They also run two venues in Montpelier – Main Street Bar and Grill and the Chefs Table – same address, both on Main Street.
When the sun sets try the Langdon Street Cafe, excellent beers and live music, or for the jazz lovers there’s the Black Door Bar over on Main.
Vermont festivals include the Vermont Maple Festival, Festival on the Green, the Enosburg Falls Dairy Festival, the Apple Festival (held each Columbus Day Weekend), the Marlboro Music Festival, and the Vermont Mozart Festival. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra is supported by the state and performs throughout the area. The Brattleboro-based Vermont Theatre Company presents an annual summer Shakespeare festival. Brattleboro also hosts the summertime Strolling of the Heifers parade, which celebrates Vermont’s unique dairy culture. Montpelier is home to the annual Green Mountain Film Festival.
In the Northeast Kingdom, the Bread and Puppet Theatre holds weekly shows in Glover in a natural outdoor amphitheater.
One of Vermont’s best known musical exports was the group Phish, whose members met while attending school in Vermont and played its final concert in the state.
Vermont Festivals and Events.
Marlboro Music Festival
Marlboro, Vermont, July to mid August.
Artistic Directors Richard Goode and Mitsuko Uchida are joined by other master artists and talented young professionals at this internationally renowned music center to present five concert weekends of varied chamber music from mid-July thru mid-August
Festival on-the-Green
Middlebury, Vermont, USA, July
Middlebury, Vermont’s Village Green is host to the Annual Festival on-the-Green celebrating its 30th anniversary season in 2008. The schedule includes noontime “Brown Bag Special” family-friendly programs and evening musical performances, 7 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. A Street Dance to the big band sound of the Vermont Jazz Ensemble closes the Festival on Saturday evening, July 19. Events are held rain or shine. All events are free! Info: 802/462-3555 or www.festivalonthegreen.org.
MoonLight Metaphysical Festival
Milton, Vermont, USA, August
Metaphsical Festival for Body, Mind & Spirit Drumming, Reiki, gemstones, jewelry, clothing, photography, sound healing, psychic medium readings, classes, workshops,etc
Champlain Valley Fair
Essex Junction, Vermont, USA, August September
The Champlain Valley Fair is Vermont’s largest agricultural and entertainment event. It features a Grandstand Concert Series, horse shows, oxen pulls, traditional trades, food for all tastes and a thrilling selection of rides on the Midway presented by Reithoffer Shows. This includes the popular 135-foot tall Speed, which spins at 60 miles per hour.
It all comes together for 10 days of summer in a tradition that began in 1923 when the first Champlain Valley Fair was held in Essex Junction. There is always something new at the fair, alongside all the traditional shows and displays that have kept people coming back year-after-year to enjoy one of Vermont’s best close-to-home family entertainment values
New World Festival
Randolph, Vermont, USA, August
An all-day, all-weather festival of Celtic and French Canadian music and dance performed on five stages simultaneously in historic Chandler Music Hall and in other all-weather facilities. About 100 musicians and folk dancers from Northern New England and Quebec will perform.